Seed distributor for even dispersion at varying flow rates

ABSTRACT

Existing seed treatment applicators distribute seed into an uneven annular veil and results in wasted seed treatment fluid and unnecessarily long mixing/drying times. We developed a seed distribution apparatus comprising a partially porous, frustoconical restricting assembly that is mounted above and partially receives a conical distributing assembly. The orientation of the distributor and restricting assemblies provides three different seed flow paths to provide a substantially even annular veil of seed to the seed treatment housing.

CROSS-REFERENCES

Not Applicable.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO CDS

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of regulating the flowrate and dispersion pattern of a particulate matter, such as seed flowwithin a seed treatment applicator.

BACKGROUND

Seeds planted for agricultural and other purposes are often treated withan agrichemical such as insecticides, inoculants, micronutrients orother beneficial compositions prior to planting. Treatment mayaccomplish various purposes including inhibiting the growth of insects,bacteria, molds, fungus, and parasites that are destructive to the seedand plant growth. Seed treatments are commonly applied by spraying aliquid composition to the surface of seed as the seed falls through aseed treatment applicator. Direct application of the seed treatmentfluid to the seed before planting requires a smaller quantity of seedtreatment composition than the traditional field application oftreatment fluids.

SUMMARY

Direct application of the seed treatment fluid to the seed beforeplanting requires a smaller quantity of seed treatment composition thanthe traditional field application of treatment fluids. An idealtreatment applicator system applies treatment fluid uniformly across thesurface of the seed thereby minimizing the time the treated seed needsto be mixed in a mixing/drying drum to ensure complete and even coverageof the treatment fluid.

Seed flows into the applicator under the force of gravity. A meteredquantity of seed flows into the applicator, first into a distributionhousing and then into a treatment housing. In the treatment housing,airborne droplets of treatment fluid are applied to the seed surfaceusing an atomizer.

Upon entering the applicator, the seed flow is directed into an annularveil in the distribution housing by means of a conical distributingassembly. The atomizer—positioned below the distributing assembly—spraysdroplets of treatment fluid from the center of the treatment housingoutwardly. These airborne droplets make contact the interior perimeterof the annular veil of seed.

However, in existing treatment applicators the seed often flows unevenlyover the conical housing. This results in uneven annular veil of seedand an uneven application of the seed treatment fluid. Treatment systemscommonly rely on a rotating mixing drum to compensate for unevenapplication of the seed treatment to the seed flow. This results inlonger seed drying/mixing times and can result in wasted seed treatmentfluid.

We solved this problem by incorporating a restricting assembly withinthe seed distribution housing of the applicator. The restrictingassembly retains at least a portion of the seed that flows into the seeddistribution housing. The distributing assembly is partially disposedwithin the restricting assembly. The restricting assembly has adownwardly converging frustoconical surface comprising a lower retainingportion, a porous portion, and an upper retaining portion. A first seedflow path is defined by the lower retaining portion of the restrictingassembly and the downwardly diverging conical surface of thedistributing assembly. The first seed flow path provides a substantiallyeven annular veil of seed. At low seed flow rates, up to approximately700 to 1,000 pounds per minute, the seed flows through the seeddistribution housing primarily through the first seed flow path.

The restricting assembly redirects seed flow, limiting lateral motion ofthe incoming seed flow and directing the seed flow to fall substantiallyvertically over the distributing assembly and through the distributionhousing and the treatment housing. However, it is important that seedflow rate is not vertically restricted for extended periods of time,especially at higher seed flow rates. This is important because theatomizer applies the treatment fluid in response to the measured flowrate of seed entering the seed distribution housing.

In order to minimize the retention of seed in the distribution housing,we added a porous portion to the restricting assembly. The porousportion can comprise a plurality of seed outlet openings. Collectively,the seed outlet openings define a second seed flow path. The size,shape, and placement of these seed outlet openings, in combination withthe first seed flow path, allow seed to flow through the distributor ata medium seed flow rate. The medium seed flow rate can range from atleast 700 to 1,000 pounds per minute up to approximately 1,800 poundsper minute.

Under high seed flow rates—rates in excess of 1,800 pounds perminute—the seed will flow through the first seed flow path, through thesecond seed flow path, and begin to flow over the top retaining portionof the restricting assembly. A third seed flow path is defined by theradial space between the upper inlet end of the restricting assembly andthe interior surface of the distribution housing.

The seed flow rate through the first seed flow path can be adjusted byadjusting the position of the restricting assembly relative to thedistributing assembly. At least one of the restricting assembly and thedistributing assembly can be adjustably mounted within the seeddistribution housing. The restricting assembly can be adjustably mountedat a predetermined height above the distributing assembly, such that thelower retaining portion of the restricting assembly partially receives aportion of the distributing assembly. As described above, the first seedflow path is defined by the annular space between the lower retainingportion of the restricting assembly and the downwardly diverging conicalsurface of the distributing assembly. The lower retaining portion isoriented to at least partially restrict seed flow through the first seedflow path such that the restricted seed accumulates within therestricting assembly and flows through the at least one of the seedoutlet openings. Adjustments to the position of either the restrictingassembly or the distributing assembly affect the flow rate of seedthrough the first seed flow path.

The width of the first seed passage can be adjusted based on the seedtype, seed size, or to achieve a targeted seed flow rate through thefirst seed flow path. In one embodiment, the width of the first seedpassage can range from 0.25 inches to 1.0 inch. In a preferredembodiment, the width of the first seed flow passage is between 0.625inches to 0.75 inches. In another embodiment, the width of the firstseed flow passage is determined based on flow rate of the seed, forexample the width of the first seed flow passage permits seed flow up to700 pounds per minute.

The seed flow rate through the second seed flow path can be adjusted byaltering the configuration of the porous portion of the restrictingassembly. The size, number, and shape of the seed outlet openings in therestricting assembly can be configured such that the discharge rate ofseed flow through the first seed flow passage and through theperforations is sufficient to achieve a medium seed flow rate. In apreferred embodiment, at least one-half of the surface area of thefrustoconical surface of the restricting assembly comprises seed outletopenings. The pitch of the downwardly converging frustoconical surfacemay also be altered to present a more vertical or a more horizontal seedoutlet opening. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the downwardlyconverging frustoconical surface is approximately 30° from vertical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation,in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the seed treatment applicator;

FIG. 2 is an elevated side perspective cutaway of the distributionhousing and the treatment housing;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective cutaway of the distribution housing and thetreatment housing;

FIG. 4 is an elevated side perspective of the restricting assembly andthe distributing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The seed treatment applicator 100 is shown in FIG. 1. A regulated flowof seed enters into the applicator 100 from above. The seed flows into aseed distribution housing 108 through a seed inlet 109. The seed inletpath is shown in cutaway in FIG. 2.

The seed flow is shaped within the distribution housing 108—which isshown in cutaway in FIGS. 2 and 3. First, the seed encounters adistributing assembly 300. The distributing assembly 300, as shown inFIGS. 2-4, has a downwardly diverging conical surface 306, a narrowupper portion 302 and a wide lower portion 304.

After the seed flow is shaped into an annular veil, the seed flows intoa seed treatment housing 102. An atomizer 402 applies fluid seedtreatment to the annular veil of seed within the seed treatment housing402. The treated seed then flows through a transition housing 406 andinto a mixing/drying drum 404. Treatment fluid is then applied to theannular veil of seed in the seed treatment housing 102.

In existing applicators, the seed is allowed to fall disproportionatelyover one side of the distributing assembly 300. This creates an unevenannular veil of seed flow, which results in an uneven application ofseed treatment fluid, wastes valuable seed treatment fluid, and requireslonger mixing time in the mixing/drying drum 404.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the present disclosure provides the seedtreatment applicator with a substantial even annular veil of seed bydirecting the seed flow through multiple seed flow paths through the useof a restricting assembly 200. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the restrictingassembly 200 has a downwardly converging frustoconical surface 202. Thedownwardly converging frustoconical surface 202 has an upper retainingportion 206, a lower retaining portion 208, and a porous portion 210.The restricting assembly 200 also has an upper opening 212 for receivinga flow of seed and a lower opening 214.

The restricting assembly 200 is positioned within the distributinghousing 108 such that at least a portion of the distributing assembly300 is partially inserted within the lower opening 214 of therestricting assembly 200. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the upper narrowportion 302 of the distributing assembly 300 is disposed within therestricting assembly 200 and a wide lower portion 304 of thedistributing assembly 300 is not disposed within the restrictingassembly 200. In a preferred embodiment, the wide lower portion 304 ofthe distributing assembly 300 radially extends beyond the lowerretaining portion 208 of the restricting assembly 200.

A first seed flow path through the distribution housing 108 is definedby the annular opening between the lower retaining portion 208 of therestricting assembly and the downwardly diverging conical surface 306 ofthe distributing assembly 300. At low seed flow rates the seed flowtravels primarily through this first seed flow path.

As the seed flow enters the distribution housing, the seed flow isreceived through the seed inlet 109. The seed flow then enters theinterior of the restricting assembly 200. The lower retaining portion208 is oriented to at least partially restrict seed flow through thelower opening 214 such that the restricted seed accumulates within therestricting assembly 200. The lower retaining portion 208 also restrictslateral movement of the seed flow. At low seed flow rates—in oneembodiment up to approximately 700 to 1,000 pounds per minute—the entireseed flow is capable of flowing through this first seed flow path. Thewidth of the first seed flow path can be adjusted, as discussed below.

The restricting assembly 200 temporarily restricts the seed flow, inorder to direct the seed flow through the first seed flow path. Therestricting assembly 200 adequately restricts lateral motion of the seedflow and directs the seed flow vertically over the distributing assembly300. However, it is important that seed flow rate is not verticallyrestricted for extended periods of time, especially at higher seed flowrates. This is important because a controller (not shown) regulates thefluid treatment flow rate to the atomizer 402 in response to themeasured flow rate of seed entering the applicator 100.

A second seed flow path minimizes the retention of seed within therestricting assembly 200 at higher seed flow rates. The second seed flowpath is defined by a plurality of seed outlet openings 204 through theporous portion 210 of the restricting assembly 200. The evendistribution of the seed outlet openings 204 about the downwardlyconverging frustoconical surface 202 maintains the even annular veil ofthe seed flow. At medium seed flow rates, seed flows through the firstseed flow path and the second seed flow path. In one embodiment, themedium seed flow rate is between 700 pounds per minute and 3,000 poundsper minute. In a preferred embodiment, at least one-half of the surfacearea of the frustoconical surface 202 of the restricting assembly 200comprises seed outlet openings 204.

As seed flows into the restricting assembly 200 at medium seed flowrates, the seed flow is restricted such that the seed accumulates overthe top of the lower retaining portion 208. Seed then begins to flowthrough the at least one of the seed outlet openings 204. As shown inFIGS. 2-4, the seed outlet openings are defined by the upper retainingportion 206, the lower retaining portion 208, and a plurality of ribs216. The ribs 216 continue to partially restricts the seed flow throughthe distribution housing 108, thereby restricting lateral motion of theseed flow and facilitating seed flow through the evenly spaced seedoutlet openings 204.

A third seed flow path allows seed to flow through the distributionhousing 108 under high seed flow rates—in one embodiment, high seed flowis a rate in excess of 3,000 pounds per minute. The third seed flow pathis defined by the radial space between the upper retaining portion 206of the restricting assembly 200 and an interior surface 114 of the seeddistribution housing 108. At high seed flow rates the seed flows throughthe first seed flow path, the second seed flow path, and the third seedflow path to produce the annular veil of seed flow to the atomizer.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, at least certain portions of the distributingassembly 300 are received within lower opening 214 of the restrictingassembly 200. When partially received, the narrow upper portion 302 isreceived within the restricting assembly 200 and the wide lower portion304 is not received within the restricting assembly 200. In oneembodiment, the wide lower portion 304 of the distributing assembly 300radially extends beyond the lower retaining portion 208 of therestricting assembly 200. In another embodiment, the wide lower portion304 of the distributing assembly 300 radially extends beyond the upperretaining portion 208 of the restricting assembly 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distributing assembly 300 is mountedto the treatment housing 102 with a plurality of brackets 308. Therestricting assembly is similarly mounted to the seed distributionhousing 108 with a plurality of brackets 218. These brackets 308, 218are depicted as welded metal plates that mount the respective assemblyto the respective housing. It should be apparent to one skilled in theart that these mounts 210 may be a variety of mechanisms, such as weldedrods or fasteners such as bolts or screws. As illustrated, thedistribution housing 108 is mounted to the applicator structure 400 witha fastener that passes through an flange 109 and is received by theapplicator frame 106. The structure 400 is illustrated as supporting theseed distribution housing above the seed treating portion of the seedtreater

The seed flow rate through the first seed flow path can be adjusted bychanging the orientation of the restricting assembly 200 relative to thedistributing assembly 300. At least one of the restricting assembly andthe distributing assembly can be mounted on a vertically adjustablemount upon the structure 400 such that the orientation between therestricting assembly 200 and the distributing assembly 300 isadjustable. For example, seed flow rate can be adjusted by raising orlowering the restricting assembly 200. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, therestricting assembly 200 is mounted to the seed distribution housing 108with a plurality of mounting brackets 218. The seed distribution housing108 is mounted upon the structure 400 with a flange 112 and a fastener(not shown) that passes through the flange 112 and is received by thestructure 400. One or more washers (not shown) can be inserted betweenthe upper housing 109 and the applicator frame 106 to raise or lower thedistribution housing 108. It should be apparent to one skilled in theart that these height adjustment mechanism may be a variety ofmechanisms, such as hydraulic cylinders, fasteners such as bolts orscrews, inclined planes, or levers. As the distribution housing 108 israised or lowered, the restricting assembly 200 is raised or lowered.Raising or lowering the restricting assembly 200 relative to thedistributing assembly 300 changes the width of the first seed flowpassage due to the downwardly diverging conical surface 306 of thedistributing assembly 300. The width of the first seed flow passage canrange from 0.25 inches to 1.0 inch. In a preferred embodiment, the widthof the first seed passage is between 0.625 inches to 0.75 inches andpermits seed flow up to 700 pounds per minute. The minimum width of thefirst seed flow path prevents seed buildup and allows a sufficient seedflow into the seed treatment housing 102.

The width of the first seed flow passage can be adjusted based on theseed type or seed size, to achieve the targeted low seed flow rate. Forexample, the size of wheat seed is much smaller than bean or corn seed.For another example, the size of a certain variety of seed can varybetween batches. In order to accommodate different seed varieties orseed sizes and maintain the flow rate, the restricting assembly 200 canbe adjustably mounted relative to the distributing assembly 300.

In another embodiment, the restricting assembly 200 can be mounted upona graduated ramp that allows the restricting assembly 200 or thedistribution housing 108 to be rotated to modify the height of therestricting assembly 200 relative to the distributing assembly 300. Thegraduated ramp can have alternating inclined ramp portions and levelportions. The graduated ramp allows the restricting assembly 200 to beadjustable—by rotation—to discrete predetermined heights—orsteps—relative to the distributing assembly 300, and thereby adjustingthe maximum seed flow rate through the first seed flow path.

In another embodiment, the distance between the restricting assembly 200and the distributing assembly 300 can be adjusted with an actuator, suchas a hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical actuator. The actuator adjuststhe height of the restricting assembly 200 relative to the distributingassembly 300, and thereby controls the maximum seed flow rate throughthe first seed flow passage 220.

The size of the seed outlet openings 204 in the restricting assembly 200is configured such that the sum discharge rate of seed flow through thefirst seed flow passage and through the perforations is sufficient toachieve a medium seed flow rate. In one embodiment, the surface area ofthe perforations in the sidewall corresponds to approximately one-halfof the surface area of the sidewalls and permits seed flow up toapproximately 3,000 pounds per minute. The pitch of the downwardlyconverging frustoconical surface can also be altered to present a morevertical or a more horizontal seed outlet opening. In a preferredembodiment, the angle of the downwardly converging frustoconical surfaceis approximately 30° from vertical.

The restricting assembly 200 is preferably made of a rigid material,such as steel, aluminum, or plastic. The distributing assembly 300 isalso made of a rigid material—in a preferred embodiment the distributingassembly 300 is made of a plastic. The plastic decreases seed damage,less impact as seed falls. The distributing assembly 300 is mounted overthe motor 400. The angle of the downwardly diverging conical surface 306of the distributing assembly 300 is such that prevents seed buildup anddirects the seed flow into an annular veil.

In another embodiment, the restricting assembly 200 is mounted to abearing (not shown) that allows the restricting assembly 200 to rotatewithin distribution housing 108. The restricting assembly 200 rotatescontinuously under seed flow. An angled flute (not shown) can be mountedto each of the perforations 204 in the restricting assembly 200 androtate with the restricting assembly 200. The rotating angled fluteswould provide even flow rate of seed about the central vertical axisunder medium seed flow rates.

The tip of the seed distribution housing is described as conical. Asused in this document, conical can refer to a shape where the narrow endis rounded, flattened, or pointed. As used in this document,frustoconical means having the shape of a cone with a portion of thenarrow end—or tip—removed.

In the Summary above, the Detailed Description, and in the accompanyingdrawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. Thereader should understand that the disclosure of the invention in thisspecification includes all possible combinations of such particularfeatures. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in thecontext of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or aparticular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible,in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspectsand embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and its grammatical equivalents are used in thisdocument to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionallypresent. For example, an article “comprising” or “which comprises”components A, B, and C can consist of components A, B, and C, or cancontain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more othercomponents.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for providing an even annular flow of seedwithin a seed treatment applicator comprising: a. a seed distributionhousing having a seed inlet; b. a distributing assembly having adownwardly diverging conical surface, the distributing assembly beingmounted within the seed distribution housing; and c. a restrictingassembly having a lower opening and a downwardly convergingfrustoconical surface and having a plurality of seed outlet openingsthrough the downwardly converging frustoconical surface of therestricting assembly, and at least certain portions of the distributingassembly are received within the restricting assembly; d. structuresupporting the seed distribution housing above the seed treating portionof the seed treatment applicator.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one of the restricting assembly and the distributing assemblyis vertically adjustably mounted within the seed distribution housing.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a top narrow portion of thedistributing assembly is disposed within the restricting assembly and awide lower portion of the distributing assembly is not disposed withinthe restricting assembly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the widelower portion of the distributing assembly radially extends beyond alower retaining portion of the restricting assembly.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the downwardly converging frustoconical surface of therestricting assembly further comprises a lower retaining portion to atleast partially restrict seed flow through seed distribution housing. 6.The apparatus of claim 5, a first seed flow path is defined by theannular opening between the lower restraining portion of the restrictingassembly and the downwardly diverging conical surface of thedistributing assembly.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein therestricting assembly and the distributing assembly are oriented suchthat the width of the first seed flow path is between approximately 0.5inches to 1.0 inch.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: a. therestricting assembly further comprises an upper restraining portion ofthe restricting assembly; and b. the seed outlet openings are defined bythe lower restraining portion, the upper restraining portion, andcorresponding rib sections that extend therebetween.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the restricting assembly further comprises: a. an upperopening for receiving a flow of seed; b. a lower opening that at leastpartially receives at least certain portions of the distributingassembly; c. wherein lower retaining portion is oriented to at leastpartially restrict seed flow through the lower opening such that therestricted seed accumulates within the restricting assembly and flowsthrough the at least one of the seed outlet openings.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein at least one-half of the surface area of thefrustoconical surface of the restricting assembly comprises seed outletopenings.
 11. A seed distributor for distributing seed flow within aseed treatment applicator comprising: a. a restricting assembly mountedwithin a seed distribution housing and comprising: i. an upper retainingportion; ii. a lower retaining portion having a reduced diameter; andiii. a plurality of ribs connecting the upper retaining portion and thelower retaining portion and thereby defining a plurality of seed outletopenings; b. a distributing assembly having a downwardly divergingconical surface and mounted within the seed treatment housing with atleast certain portions thereof received within the lower retainingportion of the restricting assembly; c. a first seed flow path definedby the radial space between the lower retaining portion of therestricting assembly and the downwardly diverging conical surface of thedistributing assembly; d. a second seed flow path is defined by theplurality of seed outlet openings.
 12. The seed distributor of claim 11,wherein at least one of the restricting assembly and the distributingassembly has a vertically adjustable mount such that the width of thefirst seed flow path is adjustable.
 13. The seed distributor of claim12, wherein at least one-half of the surface area of the frustoconicalsurface comprises seed outlet openings.
 14. The seed distributor ofclaim 11, wherein: a. a third seed flow path is defined by the radialspace between the upper retaining portion of the restricting assemblyand an interior surface of the seed distribution housing; and b. thefirst seed flow path, second seed flow path, and third seed flow pathare oriented such that: i. at low seed flow rates the seed travelsprimarily through the first seed flow path; ii. at medium seed flowrates the seed flows through the first seed flow path and the secondseed flow path; and iii. at high seed flow rates the seed flows throughthe first seed flow path, the second seed flow path, and the third seedflow path.
 15. A seed distributor operable to deliver a substantiallyeven annular flow of seed within a seed treater comprising: a. arestricting assembly comprising: i. an upper opening; ii. a loweropening; iii. a downwardly converging frustoconical surface having aporous portion; b. a distributing assembly having a narrow upper portionand a wide lower portion, at least certain portions thereof are disposedwithin and radially spaced apart from the restricting assembly, therebydefining a first seed flow path; and c. structure supporting thedistributing assembly and restricting assembly above the seed treatingportion of the seed treater.
 16. The seed distributor of claim 15,wherein at least one of the restricting assembly and the distributingassembly is adjustably mounted to the structure such that theorientation between the restricting assembly and the distributingassembly is adjustable.
 17. The seed distributor of claim 16, whereinthe narrow upper portion of the distributing assembly is disposed withinthe restricting assembly and the wide lower portion of the distributingassembly is not disposed within the restricting assembly.
 18. The seeddistributor of claim 17, wherein the wide lower portion of thedistributing assembly radially extends beyond the lower retainingportion of the restricting assembly.
 19. The seed distributor of claim15, further comprising: a. a second seed flow path defined by the porousportion of the restricting assembly; and b. a third seed flow pathdefined by the radial space between a top portion of the frustoconicalsurface of the restricting assembly and an interior surface of a seeddistribution housing.
 20. The seed distributor of claim 19, wherein: a.at low seed flow rates the seed travels primarily through the first seedflow path; b. at medium seed flow rates the seed flows through the firstseed flow path and the second seed flow path; and c. at high seed flowrates the seed flows through the first seed flow path, the second seedflow path, and the third seed flow path.